Protective Cap for an Optical Fiber Connector

ABSTRACT

A pre-terminated end of a fiber optic cable has a protective cap that protects the optical fiber and the ferrule assembly at the terminal end. The protective cap has an attachment feature enabling a pull cord to attach to the protective cap. The protective cap has a body including an exterior surface and a receptacle formed in the body and configured to receive a portion of the fiber optic cable, and the attachment feature. The attachment feature includes a cavity formed in a tip of the body and at least two openings formed in the exterior surface of the body and connected to the cavity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/751,942 filed Jan. 24, 2020, and claims the benefit of priority ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/802,782, filed on Feb. 8,2019, the entire contents of both of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a protective cap for anoptical fiber connector, and more specifically to a protective caphaving a built-in attachment for a pull cord for pulling the opticalfiber connector through a conduit.

BACKGROUND

The use of fiber optics for communications purposes continues to grow.Data, voice, and other communication networks are increasingly usingfiber optics to carry information. In a fiber optic network, eachindividual fiber is generally connected to both a source and adestination device. Additionally, along the fiber optic run between thesource and the destination, various connections or couplings may be madeon the optical fiber to adjust the length of the fiber. Each connectionor coupling requires a connector and adaptor to align the fibers suchthat the light can transmit without interruption.

Optical fiber is therefore often provided in a range of differentlengths, pre-terminated at both ends with a connector plug ready to pluginto a matching receptacle. In many installations, optical fiber cablesare routed through a protective conduit, that not only protects thecable, but also allows for rapid restoration methods when the conduit,fiber optic cable, or both are cut or damaged and replacement isnecessary. Since pre-installed connectors are of an industry standardfootprint, the full-assembled connectors may be too large to be pushedor pulled through microduct because of size constraints, as somemicroducts may have internal diameters of only about 6 mm, essentiallylarge enough for the cables to fit through, but not a fully assembledconnector.

It has therefore become desirable to provide partially assembledconnectors, pre-assembled with requisite tolerances, that may be able tobe pushed or pulled through a conduit. Any additional final assembly ofthe connector components may then be performed on site once theobjective of delivering the fiber through a length of microduct has beenachieved. There remains a need for pre-assembled cables and cableconnectors that have a smaller footprint, allowing for the pre-assembledcables to be inserted through minimal diameter conduit to therebyminimize the intrusion of placing the pathway or conduit for the fiberoptic network, while also minimizing on-site assembly time and costs.

Recently, pre-terminated fiber optic cables have been developed withsmall footprints to enable pushing or pulling through the conduit.However, there remains a need to enhance the ability to facilitate thepushing or pulling of the cable without causing damage to the connectoror the conduit. The present disclosure is directed to addressing thisneed and other issues of the prior art.

SUMMARY

The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are bestunderstood from the following detailed description when read inconnection with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose ofillustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodimentsthat are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that theinvention is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed.Included in the drawings are the following Figures:

In an embodiment, a protective cap for a fiber optic cable includes abody of the protective cap including an exterior surface, a receptacleformed in the body and configured to receive a portion of the fiberoptic cable, a cavity formed in a tip of the body, and at least twoopenings formed in the exterior surface of the body and connected to thecavity.

In another embodiment, a terminal end assembly for an optical fibercable includes a ferrule for receiving and terminating an optical fiberof an optical fiber cable, a ferrule holder having a first end forreceiving the optical fiber therethrough, and a second end opposite thefirst end for receiving and retaining the ferrule therein, a connectorbody having a first end configured for receiving and retaining aterminal end of a fiber optic cable therein, and a second end configuredfor slidably receiving the ferrule holder therein, a biasing memberdisposed within the connector body for biasing the ferrule holderaxially away from the connector body, and a ferrule retainer forretaining the ferrule holder within the second end of the connectorbody, the retainer comprising a tubular body for being disposed aroundthe ferrule and ferrule holder. The terminal end assembly furtherincludes a protective cap for being disposed around the ferrule and inengagement with the ferrule retainer. The protective cap includes areceptacle for receiving the ferrule therein and a leading tip oppositethe first end and an attachment feature. The attachment feature includesa cavity formed in the leading tip and at least two openings formed inan exterior surface of the protective cap and connected to the cavitysuch that a pull cord may enter one of the openings and exit another ofthe openings to attach to the protective cap.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be madeapparent from the following detailed description of illustrativeembodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A depicts a fiber optic cable and connector assembly according toan embodiment;

FIG. 1B depicts an exploded view of the fiber optic cable and connectorassembly of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C further illustrates an optical fiber that may be used inconjunction with the fiber optic cable and connector assembly of FIG.1A;

FIG. 2A depicts a pre-terminated fiber optic cable according to anembodiment

FIG. 2B depicts an exploded view of the pre-terminated fiber optic cableof FIG. 2A;.

FIG. 2C depicts a side view of the pre-terminated fiber optic cable ofFIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D depicts a cross-sectional view of the pre-terminated fiber opticcable, taken along line A-A of FIG. 2C;

FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of a protective cap for a fiber opticcable, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3B is a bottom perspective view of the protective cap of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a side view of the protective cap of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of the protective cap, taken alongline B-B of FIG. 3C;

FIG. 3E is a front view of the protective cap of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3F is cross-sectional view of the protective cap, taken along lineC-C of FIG. 3C;

FIG. 3G is a rear view of the protective cap of FIG. 3A; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pre-terminated fiber optic cable ofFIG. 2A, including the protective cap of FIG. 3A, together with a pullcord, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes a protective cap for a fiber opticcable. The protective cap includes an attachment feature for attachmentto a pull cord. The attachment feature may include an hollowed cavity ina tip of the protective cap having at least two distinct openings suchthat the pull cord may be inserted into one of the openings and exit aseparate opening in order to be secured to the protective cap. Theattachment feature is built-in to the cap to avoid adding any additionalmaterial or components to the fiber optic cable that may add size to thecable and hinder its ability to be pushed or pulled through a conduit.The attachment feature may enable the attachment of a pull cord whilemaintaining a small footprint for the protective cap and convenientshape for traversing the interior of a conduit or other small space.

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict perspective views of a fiber optic assembly 10 inan assembled view (FIG. 1A) and an exploded component view (FIG. 1B).While the depicted fiber optic assembly 10 is of an SC type connector,any description and drawings presented herein are also applicable toother types of fiber optic connectors, such as, for example, MPO, MT-RJ,APC (Angled Polished Connector), SC APC, FC, FC APC, ST, LC, LC APC,dual or simplex, with multi-mode or single-mode fibers.

In an embodiment as depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the fiber opticassembly 10 may include an optical fiber cable 12, a ferrule-housing 14,and an outer housing 16 to provide a push/pull engagement anddisengagement with a mating optical fiber socket (not shown). Asrepresented in FIG. 1C, the cable 12 may include an optical fiber 18,with a protective layer 20, and an outer sheath 22. In an embodiment ofa single strand SC connector, the optical fiber 18 may have a diameterof about 125 μm, the protective layer 20 may have a diameter of about900 μm, and the outer sheath 22 may have a diameter of about 3 mm toabout 5 mm.

The optical fiber 18 may terminate in a ferrule 24 retained with thecable 12 by means of a connector body 26. The connector body 26 providesa back post for the connector assembly. In an embodiment, the ferrule 24may be a cylindrical ceramic ferrule. A protective cap 28 may beprovided to protect the ferrule 24 and terminal end of the optical fiber18 prior to a final installation or connection with a mating wire ordevice (not shown). The combination of at least the cable 12, ferrule24, and connector body 26 may form a pre-terminated cable end 30.

The ferrule housing 14 may be placed onto the pre-terminated cable end30. The external surface of the connector body 26 may include T-shapedalignment and engagement depressions 54 that provide an engagementsurface to engage with internal configurations of the ferrule housing14.

The outer housing 16 may be installed by sliding the housing 16 over theinstalled ferrule housing 14. In an embodiment, the outer housing 16 mayfit over the ferrule housing 14 in any orientation. In anotherembodiment, the outer housing 16 and ferrule housing 14 may includealignment features that only allows the outer housing 16 to be insertedonto the ferrule housing 14 in only one orientation. The outer housing16 and ferrule housing 14 may be configured to interlock with oneanother to retain the parts together once assembled.

As discussed previously, because of the required mechanical tolerancesin the terminal end of a cable 12, costs may be reduced with an increasein quality by providing pre-terminated lengths of cable, pre-terminatedat both ends with a connector plug ready to plug into a matchingreceptacle. In an embodiment, wherein there were no size restrictions(for example, in the cross-sectional dimensions of the housing 16), apre-terminated cable may be represented by the configuration as depictedin FIG. 1A, with the outer housing 16 attached to the cable 12 and thecable ends ready for connection to a coupling arrangement.

However, as mentioned previously, it is often desirable to feed thecable 12 through small diameter conduit, for example less than about 10mm ID, to guide the cable to a destination, and provide protection foran installed cable. The conduit may be bend-limiting to limit the radiusof curvature through which the conduit may be bent. Therefore, it isdesirable to provide pre-terminated cables that have minimalcross-sectional dimension, or diameter, that allows the cable to beinserted through a bent conduit. A pre-terminated cable may therefore berepresented by the configuration as depicted in FIG. 2A, wherein thecable 12 is fitted with at least the ferrule 24 that provides theterminal end of the optical fiber 18. In addition, to protect theferrule 24 and terminal end of the optical fiber 18, it may also bedesirable to provide the pre-terminated cable ends with the protectivecap 28.

An embodiment of a pre-terminated cable end 30 with a protective cap 28installed is represented in FIG. 2A, while FIG. 2B provides an explodedview of the parts. The ferrule 24 may be fitted into a ferrule holder32. In FIG. 2B, the cable 12 is truncated for clarity, but the end ofthe cable would be similar to the depiction of FIG. 1C, with the opticalfiber 18 extending through the body of the ferrule 24 to the terminalend of the ferrule 24, and the protective layer 20 terminating atapproximately the other end of the ferrule 24 within the ferrule holder32. A biasing member 34, such as a spring may be included to provide abiasing force for pressing the ferrule 24 into engagement with an end ofanother fiber optic device, such as another ferrule. In an embodiment,post 32 a of the holder 32 may be crimped about the protective layer 20to better retain the fiber in the ferrule 24.

A ferrule retainer 36 may be included to retain the ferrule holder 32and biasing member 34 within the connector body 26. The retainer 36 mayfit over the end 26A of the connector body 26 and may itself be retainedon the end 26A by a friction fit. Because of the biasing force of thebiasing member 34 pressing the ferrule holder 32 outwardly from theconnector body 26, the friction fit will need to be sufficiently tightto hold the retainer 36 on the end 26A. This may be achieved by makingthe internal diameter of the retainer 36 slightly less than the externaldiameter of the end 26A. Alternatively, a variety of other types ofretention configurations, or combinations of retention configurationsmay be provided. For example, a permanent connection may be providedwith adhesive between the end 26A and the retainer 36, or, while notshown, one of the end 26A or retainer 36 may include a circumferentialgroove, and the other of the end or retainer may include acircumferential projection which fits into the groove to provide anadditional interlocking force to hold the retainer in place.

In an embodiment, a method for assembling a pre-terminated cable end 30may include removing appropriate lengths of the cable outer sheath 22and cable protective layer 20 to provide an exposed optical fiber 18 asrepresented in FIG. 1C. The connector body 26 may then be inserted ontothe cable 12 until the end of the cable outer sheath 22 abuts theprojections 38 within the connector body. The ferrule 24 may be insertedinto a ferrule holder 32, and together with the biasing member 34 theferrule assembly may be positioned onto the end of the optical fiber 18and cable protective layer 20. The ferrule retainer may be installed toretain the ferrule assembly within the connector body 26. The connectorbody 26 may be crimped onto the cable 12 to fasten the connector body inplace. The ferrule tip may be finished (polished), and the protectivecap 28 installed.

In an embodiment, the protective cap 28, the ferrule retainer 36 and atleast a portion of the connector body 26 may be configured to completelysurround and enclose the ferrule 24, ferrule holder 32, and biasingmember 34, to thereby provide protection for the ferrule, ferruleholder, and spring. By completely surrounding and enclosing the ferrule24, ferrule holder 32, and biasing member 34, any foreign contaminants,such as particles, may be prevented from entering the internal cavityand interfering with movement of the ferrule holder 32. The protectivecap 28, the ferrule retainer 36 and at least a portion of the connectorbody 26 may provide a protective, rigid encasement, or capsule, with acavity formed therein for receipt of the ferrule 24, ferrule holder 32,and biasing member 34.

FIGS. 2C and 2D provide a side view and cross-sectional view of thepre-terminated cable end 30. FIG. 2C includes cable 12 and protectivecap 28. As shown in FIG. 2D, within the connector body 26 there may be aplurality of projections 38 that project into the internal cavity 40,(for example a minimum of three spaced at about 120° or four space atabout 90°) or alternatively an inwardly projecting ring that extends thefull 360° around the inside of the internal cavity 40. The projection 38may serve two purposes, providing a stop for the insertion of the cable,wherein the cable outer sheath 22 may abut the projection 38 on the oneside, and the other side of the projection 38 may provide a shoulder forthe biasing member 34. In the depicted embodiment, biasing member 34 maytherefore be disposed within the cavity 40, with one end of the biasingmember 34 abutting the projection 38, and the other end of the biasingmember 34 abutting the ferrule holder 32, so that upon assembly, thebiasing member 34 becomes compressed between the shoulder projection 38and the ferrule holder 32 to apply a bias to the ferrule holder 32 whenassembled. As described above, the ferrule retainer 36, may then holdthe biasing member 34 and ferrule holder 32 in the connector body 26.

Upon insertion of a cable 12 into the internal cavity 40, end 26B of theconnector body 26 may be crimped onto the cable 12. Instead of crimping,other types of engagement configurations may be used. For a morepermanent connection, an adhesive may be used to retain the cable 12within the connector body 26. Alternatively, a plurality of teeth may beprovided on the internal surface within the cavity 40, wherein the teethmay have a longitudinally extending surface that reduces the internaldiameter of the cavity in the insertion direction, thereby allowing thecable to be forcibly inserted into the cavity, whereby a trailing edgeof the teeth will then engage into the outer surface of the cable outersheath 22 and hold the cable in place within the cavity 40.

In an embodiment, it may be desirable for the pre-terminated cable end30 to include alignment and anti-rotation features. As shown in FIG. 2B,end 26A of the connector body 26 may include at least one arm extension42 that fits between a pair of guide arms 44 of the ferrule holder 32.The guide arms 44 may define a channel 44 a therebetween into which thearm extension 42 may be slidingly disposed. Interaction of the armextensions 42 and guide arms 44 may allow for longitudinal slidingmovement of the ferrule holder 32 within the internal cavity 40 whilepreventing any rotational movement. This type of guided movement may beused, for example, for ferrules that may have an angled tip (not shown),so that the tip surfaces of two tip-to-tip aligned ferrules may remainproperly aligned and in full surface to surface contact.

While at least one arm extension 42 and pair of guide arms 44 may besufficient to inhibit rotation, additional ones of the arms may beprovided as shown in FIG. 2B, wherein two oppositely disposed armextensions 42 extend from the end 26A (at about 180° from one another),and the ferrule holder 32 includes four guide arms 44 disposed at about90°, with guide channels 44 a disposed between each pair of adjacentguide arms 44. In the depicted embodiment, the ferrule holder 32 may bedisposed at any of four rotational positions with respect to the end26A. Other type of anti-rotational configurations, or combinations ofanti-rotational configurations may also be provided. For example, theinterior surface of the end 26 A may include alignment grooves, and theexternal surface of the ferrule holder 32 may include projectionscorresponding to the grooves.

The protective cap 28 may include a receptacle 45 configured to receivethe ferrule 24. The ferrule retainer 36 may include alignment notches 46that are configured to receive corresponding projections 48 of theprotective cap 28 to prevent the protective cap from spinning on theferrule 24. In an embodiment, the protective cap 28 may also beconfigured without such projections 48, thereby allowing for the cap tospin about the ferrule 24. The alignment notches 46 may also align withchannels 44 a, and in an embodiment, the notches 46 may be aligned withchannels 44 a that do not have the arm extensions 42 disposed therein.The projections 48 may have a thickness dimension that allows theprojections to not only align with the notches 46, but also therebyalign with and extend into the channels 44 a. The protective cap 28 mayfit sufficiently snugly around the ferrule 24 so that the cap may beretained on the ferrule by friction. Any of a variety of other types ofalignment and retention configurations, or combinations thereof, such asthose already discussed previously may also be used. As an additionalexample, the circumferential edges of the projections 48 (in FIG. 2C—theedges facing up and down) may fit tightly within the circumferentialedges of the notches 46 to frictionally retain the protective cap 28with the retainer 36, or the same edges may haveprojections/corresponding recesses that may snap together to hold thecap in place.

FIGS. 3A-3G further illustrate the protective cap 28, according to anembodiment. As shown, a leading tip 49 of the protective cap 28 isformed on a side opposite the receptacle 45. The leading tip 49 may beshaped to facilitate movement of the cable 12 with pre-terminated end 30through a conduit (not shown). As an example, tip 49 may have a rounded,ballistic configuration. In an embodiment, the protective cap 28 may beformed of a low friction material, such as PTFE, to facilitate movementof the protective cap 28 along the inside of a conduit. The roundedleading tip 49 may allow for easier passage through a tight radiusduring installation, such as when the cable 12 is being pushed or pulledthrough a duct/conduit that is bent and includes a tight radius. Acomponent such as a drill may be used, in a number of embodiments, topush assembly 10 through a conduit or duct. For example, a householdcordless drill may be fitted with a feed device that is configured tofeed the cable 12 forward upon rotary motion of the drill. Installationmay then be done with relatively inexpensive tools.

The protective cap 28 may include a gripping feature for ease ofgripping and removing the cap from the ferrule 24. For example, theprotective cap 28 may include a flat surface 50 with a raised edge 52that provides an engagement surface for gripping and pulling the cap offof the ferrule 24. For example, a user's thumb may be placed on the flatsurface 50 to engage the edge 52 to pull the protective cap 28 from theferrule 24.

The protective cap 28 further includes an attachment feature 56. Theattachment feature 56 is configured to attach the protective cap 28 to apull cord (shown in FIG. 4) such that the cable 12 may be pulled througha conduit or other space. The attachment feature 56 is preferablyintegrally formed with the protective cap 28 such that the attachmentfeature does not increase the size of the protective cap 28. Forexample, the attachment feature 56 may be built into the protective cap28 such that a pull cord can be easily tied to the protective cap 28.

In an exemplary embodiment, the attachment feature 56 includes a cavity58 formed in the leading tip 49 of the protective cap 28. The cavity 58is a hollow space in the leading tip 49. The attachment feature 56further includes at least two distinct openings into the cavity 58. Forexample, in an embodiment, the protective cap 28 includes an axialopening 60 and a pair of peripheral openings 62, 64. The openings 60,62, 64 are separate from each other such that each opening 60, 62, 64acts as a distinct entrance and/or exit into the cavity 58, connectingthe cavity 58 to an exterior area outside of the protective cap 28. Theattachment feature 56 thus allows a pull cord to enter the cavity 58through one of the openings, exit the cavity 58 through another one ofthe openings, become tied and thus secured to the protective cap 28.

The protective cap 28 may include a body 66 having an exterior surface67. The openings 60, 62, 64 may be formed as holes in the exteriorsurface 67 and lead to the cavity 58. The body 66 of the protective cap28 may thus define the openings 60, 62, 64 and the cavity 58 through itsshape. The body 66 may be shaped to accommodate attachment of a pullcord more easily. For example, the openings 60, 62, 64 may be elongated(rather than circular) to provide at least one large dimension throughwhich the pull cord may extend. Further, the openings 60, 62, 64 may bealigned with each other. For example, the peripheral openings 62, 64 maymirror each other on opposite sides of the body 66 of the protective cap28. Moreover, the axial opening 60 may be positioned at a leading pointof the tip 49 and be elongated in the same plane as the peripheralopenings 62, 64. In this way, a pull cord inserted into the axialopening 60 may already be aligned with both of the peripheral openings62, 64. The axial opening 60 may be oval or oblong to provide a largeentrance for a pull cord while not diminishing the ballistic shape ofthe tip 49. The peripheral openings 62, 64 may be generally rectangular.Moreover, the elongated shapes renders the cavity 58 as an rectangularslot that does not compromise the rigidity or integrity of theprotective cap 28.

The body 66 may further include a shape inside of the cavity 58 thatfurther eases attachment of a pull cord. For example, the body 66 mayinclude a guide element 68 configured to guide a pull cord that has beeninserted into the axial opening 60 out of one of the peripheral openings62, 64. The guide element 68 may include a pair of angled surfaces 70that lead from a rounded or pointed tip 72 to a respective one of theperipheral openings 62, 64, as shown in FIG. 3D. The surfaces 70 may arepreferably angled with respect to an axis of the protective cap 28,which may be generally cylindrical at a peripheral outside surface. Thesurfaces 70 may be formed in the same plane and extend at an acute anglewith respect to each other. The surfaces 70 may be symmetrical. Thesurfaces 70 and tip 72 may be formed as a part of a portion 74 of thebody 66 that closes off the receptacle 45 such that the ferrule 24 isnot exposed to the cavity 58.

FIG. 4 illustrates the pre-terminated cable end 30, including theprotective cap 28, secured to a pull cord 100. The pull cord 100 may bea semi-rigid wire, soft or flexible thread, rope, fabric, or any otherlength of material capable of traversing into and out of the cavity 58in the protective cap 28. In an exemplary method, a free end 102 of thepull cord 100 is inserted into the axial opening 60 and is guided out ofthe peripheral opening 62 by the surface 70. The free end 102 may thenbe tied, looped, or otherwise connected back to the pull cord 100 inorder to create a knot that secures the pull cord 100 to the protectivecap 28.

The pre-terminated cable end 30 and connected pull cord 100 enable thecable 12 to be pulled through a conduit. The connection of the pull cord100 at the leading tip 49 of the protective cap 28 places the attachmentpoint at the leading point of the cable 12 and thereby allows the pullcord 100 to more easily direct the cable 12 through a conduit byensuring that an axis of the pull cord 100 is generally aligned with anextent of the cable 12 (as opposed to a more tangential connection). Theprotective cap 28 thus serves multiple useful purposes, includingprotecting the ferrule 24 and optical fiber 18 in a pre-terminatedcondition and easing the connection of the pull cord 100 for pulling thecable 12 through a conduit. The configuration of the attachment feature56 further eases the process through its integrally-formed configurationthat does not add any material to the protective cap that may make itmore difficult to pull the combined assembly through the conduit.

Some examples of fiber optic cables consistent with disclosedembodiments may have a diameter of about 3 mm for a 1-12 fiber cable, orabout 4 mm for a 24 fiber cable. Un-terminated cables of such diametersmay readily pass through a duct/conduit that may be, for example, a 10/6duct (10 mm OD and 6 mm ID). A conduit may be used in situations whereinthe cable must be fed over a distance, wherein obstacles may be presentthat would interfere with placement, or where an extra layer ofprotection may be needed for the cable. A relatively inexpensive conduittube may be forced through an area without consideration of damage tothe conduit end, in contrast to the use of forcibly feeding a fiberoptic cable directly, wherein the end configuration of the cable may bethe most expensive section of the cable and would be costly to replaceif damaged. A conduit may be used for an entire length of a cable run,or over only portions of the length in areas where such may be needed,to get a cable to a location for a cable connection, that may include,for example, connection to another terminated fiber of same sizedferrule through an adapter, in a junction box, or a receiving device.Once a pre-terminated cable end 30 is at its final destination, theremaining components for providing the connector assembly 10 of FIG. 1A,that is, the ferrule housing 14 and the outer housing 16 may beinstalled in a manner as indicated in FIG. 1B.

As can be seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2C, a pre-terminatedcable end 30 may be configured to have a diameter that is only slightlylarger than the diameter of the fiber optic cable 12. In an embodiment,and as examples only, wherein the fiber optic cable may be about 3 mm indiameter, the total diameter of the pre-terminated cable end may beabout 4 mm, or, if the diameter of the cable may be about 4 mm, thediameter of the pre-terminated cable end may be about 5 mm. Installationand placement of such a cable may then be done, if needed, through a 6mm conduit that is only slightly larger than the cable end.

This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices andmethods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in thedescription is for the purpose of describing the particular versions orembodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope.

In the above detailed description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbolstypically identify similar components, unless context dictatesotherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detaileddescription, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Otherembodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presentedherein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the presentdisclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in thefigures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designedin a wide variety of different configurations, all of which areexplicitly contemplated herein.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particularembodiments described in this application, which are intended asillustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and variations canbe made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparentto those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods andapparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to thoseenumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from theforegoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intendedto fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosureis to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along withthe full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It isto be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particularmethods, reagents, compounds, compositions or biological systems, whichcan, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodimentsonly, and is not intended to be limiting.

As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art. Nothing in this disclosure is to be construed as anadmission that the embodiments described in this disclosure are notentitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. Asused in this document, the term “comprising” means “including, but notlimited to.”

The terms “front,” “side,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “back,” andassociated directions (e.g., forward, rearward) are not limiting as tothe absolute position of any associated element but help to definerelative positions of at least some components, as well as directions oftravel. It should be understood that disclosed embodiments are notlimited to any particular position or direction based on these terms.

While various compositions, methods, and devices are described in termsof “comprising” various components or steps (interpreted as meaning“including, but not limited to”), the compositions, methods, and devicescan also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various componentsand steps, and such terminology should be interpreted as definingessentially closed-member groups.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one”or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articlesused to introduce claim recitations.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and allpurposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, allranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subrangesand combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easilyrecognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range beingbroken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths,tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein canbe readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third,etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all languagesuch as “up to,” “at least,” and the like include the number recited andrefer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges asdiscussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in theart, a range includes each individual member.

Various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, oralternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systemsor applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipatedalternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may besubsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is alsointended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiment

1. A protective cap for a fiber optic cable, comprising a body of theprotective cap including an exterior surface; a receptacle formed in thebody and configured to receive a portion of the fiber optic cable; acavity formed in a tip of the body; and at least two openings formed inthe exterior surface of the body and connected to the cavity.
 2. Theprotective cap of claim 1, wherein the at least two openings comprise anaxial opening at a leading point of the body and at least one peripheralopening.
 3. The protective cap of claim 2, wherein the at least oneperipheral opening comprises two peripheral openings.
 4. The protectivecap of claim 3, wherein the two peripheral openings are aligned witheach other on opposite sides of the body.
 5. The protective cap of claim2, wherein the at least two openings are elongated.
 6. The protectivecap of claim 5, wherein the at least two openings are elongated in thesame plane.
 7. The protective cap of claim 1, further comprising a guideelement inside of the cavity configured to guide a pull cord insertedinto one of the at least two openings out of another of the at least twoopenings.
 8. The protective cap of claim 7, wherein the guide elementcomprises an angled surface leading to the another of the at least twoopenings.
 9. The protective cap of claim 7, wherein the guide elementcomprises a pair of angled surfaces, each leading to an opening of theat least two openings.
 10. The protective cap of claim 9, wherein theangled surfaces are aligned in the same plane and form an acute anglewith each other.
 11. The protective cap of claim 10, wherein the guideelement further comprises a rounded tip that transitions into the pairof angled surfaces.
 12. The protective cap of claim 1, wherein thecavity is formed as a rectangular slot.
 13. The protective cap of claim1, wherein the tip of the body has a rounded or ballistic shape.
 14. Theprotective cap of claim 1, wherein the protective cap includesprojections configured to fit into notches on a ferrule retainer.
 15. Aterminal end assembly for an optical fiber cable, the assemblycomprising: a ferrule for receiving and terminating an optical fiber ofan optical fiber cable; a ferrule holder having a first end forreceiving the optical fiber therethrough, and a second end opposite thefirst end for receiving and retaining the ferrule therein; a connectorbody having a first end configured for receiving and retaining aterminal end of a fiber optic cable therein, and a second end configuredfor slidably receiving the ferrule holder therein; a biasing memberdisposed within the connector body for biasing the ferrule holderaxially away from the connector body; and a ferrule retainer forretaining the ferrule holder within the second end of the connectorbody, the retainer comprising a tubular body for being disposed aroundthe ferrule and ferrule holder; and a protective cap for being disposedaround the ferrule and in engagement with the ferrule retainer, theprotective cap having a receptacle for receiving the ferrule therein anda leading tip opposite the first end and an attachment feature, whereinthe attachment feature comprises a cavity formed in the leading tip andat least two openings formed in an exterior surface of the protectivecap and connected to the cavity such that a pull cord may enter one ofthe openings and exit another of the openings to attach to theprotective cap.